Fitting Cat Flap In UPVC Door Panel
Cat flaps allow your pet to move around as they please without needing to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating in the home.
Installing a cat flap into the door panel made of upvc is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, but it does require some skills and the proper tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat door in the front door is difficult however, as long as the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the directions you can make it less difficult. We will be showing how to trace the shape, then use a jigsaw to cut out the door's opening and then complete the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.
The first step is determine the width of your pet to determine an accurate estimate of what size of cat flap you'll require. This will enable you to select a flap that is big enough for your pet to walk into the house and exit without having to open the door every time.
If your kit comes with an illustration of the location to drill, you can put it on the door and then draw a pencil around it. If your door has a sill or moulding along the bottom of it then make sure you have enough clearance from these as this will ensure your cat's safety and will prevent them from getting access to your home.
Utilize a set square to make sure you're cutting correctly and to make sure the hole is a perfect rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you can start removing the rest of the door material. If you own an already-cut square, make use of it to verify that you're cutting properly and to ensure that the hole is a good rectangle shape, once you are happy with this you can begin to take off the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap lets you to let your pet inside and out without having to worry about unwanted visitors or unwelcome gifts. It also stops draughts and helps keep the temperature inside your home in a stable manner. However, putting a cat flap in your door could be an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before, leading many people to call a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. While this is definitely an option, it's possible to do the work yourself if you own the right tools and follow the instructions with care.
Although this is much simpler with a timber door, it is still feasible in uPVC doors, but you should be cautious not to damage the doors as this will invalidate the warranty. First, you need to examine the door's measurements to ensure that it can accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have a standard replacement upvc door panel with cat flap panel it's easy. However when your door is composite or a different type of door, you may need to be more careful.
The next step is to determine the size of your cat's belly. This is the measurement from the floor to the lower part of the cat flap in upvc door panel's stomach, and you will need to locate a place on the door where this measurement will fall within the range your cat can comfortably pass through. Once you've figured out the measurements you'll have to mark the area with a spirit-level and a pencil, so that you are sure that the hole will fit your cat.
After you have marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are clean and smooth not uneven and rough. This could damage your door. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust protection mask whenever using the jigsaw, as dust from the saw could be hazardous to your health. After you've completed the cutting, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily into place.
Make a hole
It isn't easy to fit an animal flap on a door panel or sealed double glazing unit. If you're not experienced in DIY, it's best to hire a professional to complete the work for you. A shoddy job might not only look ugly, but it could also be an issue for security as well as allowing cold air to enter when the cat is outside and hot air to escape once inside.
The first thing to do is mark out the location of the hole in the door using an eraser and a spirit level, this will ensure that it is correctly positioned and that it runs in a straight line with the other components of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.
Wear any safety equipment you'll need to use a power tool. If you are concerned about the sound of a jigsaw you can buy an electric version that is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
It is important that you only cut away the material required to make the cat flap. It is important to leave some extra material to make the wall thickness of the cat flap. However cutting off too much material can cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.
A door made of upvc could contain a metal frame or panel that will interfere with the microchip cat flap if this is the case you will need to cut an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not come into contact with the the cat flap, if this is done it is crucial to fill in the oversize gap and make it watertight.
If you are fitting the cat flap onto the frame of a double-glazed window with a frame made of metal, you will need to speak to a specialist who can provide you with a new pane of glass with the hole for the cat flap already drilled inside. It is much less expensive to get this done rather than trying to fix the flap to an existing glass pane that has not been manufactured specifically for the purpose.
Install the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to move around whenever they want, allowing them to relax in the house when they'd like. If you've got a uPVC door, it may be difficult to fit a cat flap, especially if you don't own glass panes that can be cut to fit one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement upvc door panels with cat flap panel, it's possible to add the cat flap. It's not as simple as making a hole in the door however, and there are some things you'll need to do first to ensure that it's secure.
A composite door panel usually has an flimsy plastic outer layer joined to a soft insulating polystyrene core. The material is fairly fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type door has a template you can use to make the hole.
After you have marked out the opening in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can buy and fit various models, from basic button operated ones to microchip activated units that allow access only to your pet. Whatever kind of cat flaps you select it's essential that your cat can use the flap comfortably without getting stuck in bad weather.
A circular fitting is more effective than a square, because circles can be cut more securely into the glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they're drilled. This is also a safer option because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass, which could shatter and harm your pet or family members. This is particularly important if there are elderly or children in your home that could be hurt by glass fragments.